Today was a HUGE step forward!

This morning, I spoke before the Orange County Board of Supervisors about the need for a coordinated, humane Coyote & Wildlife Management Program for South Orange County - and I brought all of your voices with me. I shared the concerns so many of us have experienced firsthand: increasingly bold coyote encounters, sick and mange-covered animals, residents afraid to walk their pets, and the frustrating lack of a clear agency or coordinated system to call when these situations occur. Most importantly, I was able to tell the Board that more than 1,000 residents have now signed this petition asking Orange County to take action. Immediately after I finished speaking, a member of Supervisor Katrina Foley’s chief of staff approached me and asked to speak with me privately. He told me their office had received my previous outreach, that they recognize this as a serious issue that needs to be addressed, and that they are going to work toward potentially bringing this forward as an agenda item. He also told me they want me involved in the process and will be reviewing the proposal I submitted. This is exactly why we started this petition. So what happens next? Now we give the County an opportunity to review the proposal and determine the path forward. I will stay in communication with Supervisor Foley’s office, continue advocating for a coordinated and humane solution, and keep everyone here updated as things develop. But we are NOT done growing this petition. Every additional signature shows the County that this is not one resident’s concern - it is a South Orange County community issue. Please continue sharing the petition with your neighbors, friends, local groups, and communities. To every single person who signed, shared, donated, sent me a story, encouraged me, or trusted me to carry your concerns into that room today: THANK YOU. I walked into that meeting nervous, but I walked in knowing more than 1,000 people were standing behind this effort. Today, we were heard. Now we keep going. ❤️